The 2015 Official New York Yankees Thread

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by thomamon

I'm getting the idea this team won't be as bad as I thought!

I always liked the pitching, just need another bat or two. That could include our own guys waking up tho like McCann

You realize, though, that if A-Rod had not started off hot (well, productive at least), then we are talking about last place, lower than low? But I don't think that he is going to continue and I agree that those guys in the middle of the lineup MUST produce.

I'm getting tired of seeing Beltran and Teixeira "on the Interstate" (both .184 right now; even worse than their .234 and .216 last year) and McCann splitting time and batting average with Murphy (both at .250 with McCann on the downslope; 3 for his last 14 or .214). Those three dragged us down last year and they are doing it again this year. B & T have gotten old early and M is star-struck by NYC or something.

[knightdreamer2k]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

You realize, though, that if A-Rod had not started off hot (well, productive at least), then we are talking about last place, lower than low? But I don't think that he is going to continue and I agree that those guys in the middle of the lineup MUST produce.

I'm getting tired of seeing Beltran and Teixeira "on the Interstate" (both .184 right now; even worse than their .234 and .216 last year) and McCann splitting time and batting average with Murphy (both at .250 with McCann on the downslope; 3 for his last 14 or .214). Those three dragged us down last year and they are doing it again this year. B & T have gotten old early and M is star-struck by NYC or something.

I agree about our middle of the lineup being a problem. Seems like no one hits at the same time. One game it is Arod, then the next drew. They have been a bit better of late, so we will see.

What is up with Didi also? I thought he was suppose to add to our defense not take away. So far it seems as though it is Ellsbury, Gardner, Young and Arod to carry us. We might just have to replace Beltran with Chris Young perminately.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by knightdreamer2k

I agree about our middle of the lineup being a problem. Seems like no one hits at the same time. One game it is Arod, then the next drew. They have been a bit better of late, so we will see.

What is up with Didi also? I thought he was suppose to add to our defense not take away. So far it seems as though it is Ellsbury, Gardner, Young and Arod to carry us. We might just have to replace Beltran with Chris Young perminately.

I think Didi may have a case of the "replace a godlike figure" whimmy-whammies. Your idea about Young is spot on. I think Beltran is done.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Caporegime

Stephen Drew's projected stats, according to ESPN:

49 HR, 113 RBI, .167 AVG

Can you imagine?

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Heh. Answer: No. I'd be happy if he got back above the Mendoza Line.

He's almost there, guys! Two hits yesterday and he is up to .193 now. Get ready to pay him respect!

[knightdreamer2k]

How we win despite our bad offense amazes me. Outside of Ellsbury and Gardner the rest of the team is 240 or lower. I think Beltran won't be wearing the pinstripes that much longer with the kind of production he is giving us. I do think it is interesting that at first losing Shane Greene seemed like a bad idea but now he is not looking good at all.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by knightdreamer2k

How we win despite our bad offense amazes me. Outside of Ellsbury and Gardner the rest of the team is 240 or lower. I think Beltran won't be wearing the pinstripes that much longer with the kind of production he is giving us. I do think it is interesting that at first losing Shane Greene seemed like a bad idea but now he is not looking good at all.

Tex has been sending "Tex messages" (HRs), don't forget that. A-Rod is tailing off as expected and CC is washed up. Much as it pains me to say this, the Yankees leading the AL East right now is a testament to how bad the division is these days. Even so, I don't expect them to stay on top for much longer.

[knightdreamer2k]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Tex has been sending "Tex messages" (HRs), don't forget that. A-Rod is tailing off as expected and CC is washed up. Much as it pains me to say this, the Yankees leading the AL East right now is a testament to how bad the division is these days. Even so, I don't expect them to stay on top for much longer.

You are right the AL east is very weak. i can't say though I am sure if the Yankees will fall off, because I don't see anyone a whole lot better. Boston and Toronto don't have pitching, Tampa is banged up, maybe between Baltimore and New York. Jury is still out on CC because he is usually a second half pitcher anyways.

[Leo_The_Lip]

I've been a Yankee fan since 1958 (when I discovered baseball cards!) and this season so far has been the most unexpectedly pleasant one since the start of the Steinbrenner years in 1976. I thought projections for them to be slightly over .500 this season were ludicrously optimistic. I mean Didi Gregorius? That name belongs to a 1960's stripper -- please return it.

However, I don't see how the hitting can collapse any worse that it is, while the starting pitching is already without Tanaka and Sabathia -- who is that huge husk of a scarecrow on the mound? So I'm pleased; hopeful, even.

Rodriquez is amusing me with his slightly better than anyone could reasonably expect results so far. But being good at age 39 is one of the points of using steroids, is it not? So we shouldn't be surprised when it works. I hope he keeps it up long enough to make the sanctimonious types squirm some more.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by knightdreamer2k

You are right the AL east is very weak. i can't say though I am sure if the Yankees will fall off, because I don't see anyone a whole lot better. Boston and Toronto don't have pitching, Tampa is banged up, maybe between Baltimore and New York. Jury is still out on CC because he is usually a second half pitcher anyways.

Originally Posted by Leo_The_Lip

I've been a Yankee fan since 1958 (when I discovered baseball cards!) and this season so far has been the most unexpectedly pleasant one since the start of the Steinbrenner years in 1976. I thought projections for them to be slightly over .500 this season were ludicrously optimistic. I mean Didi Gregorius? That name belongs to a 1960's stripper -- please return it.

However, I don't see how the hitting can collapse any worse that it is, while the starting pitching is already without Tanaka and Sabathia -- who is that huge husk of a scarecrow on the mound? So I'm pleased; hopeful, even.

Rodriquez is amusing me with his slightly better than anyone could reasonably expect results so far. But being good at age 39 is one of the points of using steroids, is it not? So we shouldn't be surprised when it works. I hope he keeps it up long enough to make the sanctimonious types squirm some more.

Good posts. I am happy to continue to be wrong for as long as it lasts!

A side point: An article in today's Newsday asks, who is better, Harvey or Pineda? The latter has been anointed the "ace" of the Yankees starting rotation and that much is for sure. But, who is better?

One thing that is remarkable to me: Pineda is the same age (26) as Harvey. You would think Pineda would be pushing 30 by now, he's been around that long, but he came up to the bigs when he was only 22.

[Leo_The_Lip]

I don't think we will know the answer to Harvey v. Pineda until quite some time. And even then one (or both) of them is likely to be reinjured and the 'might have been' arguments will abound.

Pineda reminds me a lot of how Jim Palmer started out, very good year, then hurt and thought to be another one of Paul Richards' destroyed young arms like Steve Barber and Chuck Estrada among others. Then he bounces back to HOF level.

Palmer spends too much time reminding viewers how he never gave up a grand slam and not enough time describing the effort he put in to come back from injury.

[Déjà Bru]

Compare these lineups.

Remember when the Royals were doormats? This won't last long, of course, because most players leave KC at the first opportunity, but what a lineup.

On the other hand, Joe Girardi gets my Manager of the Year vote if the season ended today with the Yankees still (barely) in first place in the AL East.

Ellsbury and Gardner, then two old guys who are hanging on to old glory. Both geezers have contributed this season, yes, but #3 and #4 in the lineup?

Then comes the rest of the lineup. In OOTPB, I would be looking to chop everybody from #5 to #9. I am getting real tired of hearing about how McCann, Beltran, and Headley are finally "heating up" but . . . not.

Didi is dee worst. No, not the worst. Drew is. How in the heck can you hold a job in the major leagues and not crack .175 over two seasons?

Maybe Didi and Drew will start "heating up" soon.

[RchW]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Compare these lineups.

Remember when the Royals were doormats? This won't last long, of course, because most players leave KC at the first opportunity, but what a lineup.

On the other hand, Joe Girardi gets my Manager of the Year vote if the season ended today with the Yankees still (barely) in first place in the AL East.

Ellsbury and Gardner, then two old guys who are hanging on to old glory. Both geezers have contributed this season, yes, but #3 and #4 in the lineup?

Then comes the rest of the lineup. In OOTPB, I would be looking to chop everybody from #5 to #9. I am getting real tired of hearing about how McCann, Beltran, and Headley are finally "heating up" but . . . not.

Didi is dee worst. No, not the worst. Drew is. How in the heck can you hold a job in the major leagues and not crack .175 over two seasons?

Maybe Didi and Drew will start "heating up" soon.

I thought you were old school. Hitting sub 0.200 playing good defense and dropping bunts should be right up your alley.

I mean no saber stats for these guys either.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by RchW

I thought you were old school. Hitting sub 0.200 playing good defense and dropping bunts should be right up your alley.

I mean no saber stats for these guys either.

Yeah, I'd like to take a saber to their stats, and their CONTRACTS!

[Leo_The_Lip]

As to Drew, does Horace Clarke have a grandson somewhere? Because the Yankees need him, now.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Leo_The_Lip

As to Drew, does Horace Clarke have a grandson somewhere? Because the Yankees need him, now.

I remember Horace and I would be grateful to have him, or his grandson, on the team.

We were so spoiled by Robinson that we may think Horace would be a detriment but I go back to the days when what you expected from your middle infielders was good glove, adequate bat. By adequate, I mean somewhere around .225 to .250. That's all.

If Didi and Drew could do that, I'd welcome them. Can't be flirting with, or below, .200 though. Don't care how good your glove is (which, in their case, is not all that good, either).

[Leo_The_Lip]

That's what I meant, I loved old Horace.

[CommishJoe]

Bad news ... Ellsbury goes on the DL
Good news .. Heathcott gets his ML debut. I've heard a lot of hype about this kid.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Bad news ... Ellsbury goes on the DL
Good news .. Heathcott gets his ML debut. I've heard a lot of hype about this kid.

I'd rather reverse the bad news then experience the good news but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride (is that how that goes?).

Anyway, the assessment on Heathcott, according to one source, is:

WHAT HE DOES: Heathcott has the potential to be an Ellsbury/Brett Gardner type. He's a superb defender in center field who plays with what many have described as a reckless style, but one that appears to suit him just fine. Heathcott doesn't hit for power and he strikes out a lot, but he gets on base, too.

WILL HE STICK? Probably not. Once Ellsbury returns, there won't be room for Heathcott. That is, unless Ellsbury's injury ends up serious.

Plus, there is this which does not sound promising:

INJURIES: Heathcott has undergone two major knee surgeries since late 2013, but he says he feels healthy and he hasn't been limited by the knee while in Triple-A. He also had shoulder surgery before the 2011 season.

To top it off, Heathcott "developed a drinking problem by age 19, but the Yankees helped him turn it around through Alcoholics Anonymous meetings." I don't want to be too harsh on the kid, who certainly deserves a break at his young age, but this would be in the back of my mind.

In OOTPB, I would be scrambling to trade this guy, plus another prospect or established veteran or two, or three, for a good CF who could move to RF (good arm) if and when Ellsbury returns to the lineup.

[Leo_The_Lip]

"To top it off, Heathcott "developed a drinking problem by age 19, but the Yankees helped him turn it around through Alcoholics Anonymous meetings." I don't want to be too harsh on the kid, who certainly deserves a break at his young age, but this would be in the back of my mind."

I just had a meeting a with a public health nurse (about internet reception on her laptop, not me!) and I mentioned this. She had a one word response, "Relapse"

[CommishJoe]

Ugly 6 game losing streak broken by a great win vs KC. So far, so good with Heathcott (5-12 with a 2b and HR). Yeah, I know, small sample size, but still .... . Pineda seems to have come down to earth after an ace like start to the season.